Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Aug 31, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please?

Thats good news, I have heard all good stories for pumps, in the long run anyway...

It is meant to be quite a task at the start working out your doses and delivery times, but once that is established the benefits are good....

Keep us posted.......

Aug 31, 2010

EMS 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

I know, I really hate the idea of having to rely on something outside myself to, literally, survive. I was diagnosed in 2002 and, especially the first few years, I found it all very hard to accept. In the last couple of years I've started to reconcile myself to the idea that I have this for life and that denial will only make things worse. I suppose that, in a way, managing this properly is me taking back control. If that makes any sense.

Aug 31, 2010

julee mistry 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

Hi thanks for all the ideas into regular testing. So far today I have done my morning and pre lunch. My afternoon was very high and I think I know why. I'm am so glad its not just me. Just hate feeling like this is controlling me. I'm going to keep going. Let me see if I can get a days reading.

Thank you for all the messages.

By the way I'm a teacher and I teach the little ones.

Aug 31, 2010

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

I should be careful what I say here, but I put patient care above politics so.... Your GP does want in because of money. They get paid an amount by the NHS for each Diabetic they 'treat', they also have to pay some of that to the hospital if you see a consultant/team there. Hence its in their interest for you to be treated at the GP's. It is NOT in your interest however, having been DAFNE-ed and being a Type 1 you really need to be seen by a specialist team not a GP and a Diabetic nurse. I'm not suggesting these people don't do a very good job, however to manage your diabetes in the tight way that DAFNE demands means 'generic'
advice is really no good for you. You have the right to demand to be seen by the hospital and indeed I do. I had a letter not long ago from my GP saying 'I see you HBA1c has gone up, your control is not as it
should be, you need to come and see me'. I wrote back, telling her to read my notes properly ( I have been on steriods that cause insulin resistance) and that I would not be coming to see her since I was under the
care of the hospital and that was the way it would stay. I have not been bothered by the GP since. You CAN do the same, I know its not always easy to go against 'medical' advice, but you can. If you have any problems with this, go to your PCT's website and search for PALS. This is a department dedicated to helping people with issues with the NHS/PCT/GP and they do a very good job.
This brings me nicely to your other point, about the GP accessing your hospital data, they should be able to and most probably can. If they cannot currently they WILL have to be able to soon. It is a now a requirement, however like most large UK IT projects the NHS systems are a badly managed mess ( from an IT point of view). Where I am its definately in place and my GP does have access to my data as do my various consultants ( since they know I work in IT, they show off their system to me) . It may not be in place in your PCT , but I would be suprised its not given where you are. At some point in the future YOU may also be able to access some of the data as well, the NHS has plans to put it all online, you can go here to find out more. I think it has been put on hold to a degree at the moment due to issues with confidentiality and patients having a 'proper' right to opt out.
I also take on board your point about DAFNE 'support' , obviously thats one of the things we started this site for. However there have been and ARE research projects ongoing about how to better support DAFNE graduates in the long term. This is one of the reasons that DAFNE is important as a programme as opposed to PCT invented equivalents. To provide ongoing care and improve the training, you need proper investment and research which one off courses cannot provide. The thing about DAFNE is its national, its followed up with research and a dedicated team who are constantly working on improving it.
Lastly I take your point on 'money saving' but personally I would rather the money went to the expensive doctors than the NHS management consultants ! Most of the doctors and consultants I have met have been brilliant and dedicated and deserve all the money they get. My PCT on the other hand was 5th on the list of spenders on external consultants, we don't need better management just the money going to the front line to treat people. But hey enough of the politics already :-)

Aug 31, 2010

EMS 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

Hi,
you are not alone.... I find it very hard sometimes.
Thereâ€™s a couple of things I find really useful to help motivate myself.
Firstly, the blood glucose diary is a great help, I open it first thing when I get into work and have it open on my desktop all day so I can keep track of every morsel of food and drop of insulin; this makes me more mindful of what Iâ€™m doing and reminds me that I can't really get away with ignoring that Iâ€™ve eaten the odd sweet or bag of crisps.
The graphs are great for monitoring progress, especially the pie charts - so much more satisfying to see more green than red!
Also, everyone at work is aware that Iâ€™m diabetic, so I have no problem testing at my desk. Initially I tried to avoid telling people, but it just got to be too much work trying to hide it, so I just told them.
Weekends are much harder because Iâ€™ve not set routine, but I reckon that if I can stay on track for most of the week, the odd slip here and there should not be too bad in the greater scheme of things.

Aug 31, 2010

kid127 25 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please?

Hi,

Thanks for the messages. I had an appointment with my consultant and spilt my background does which helped a bit but I also went for an appointment to look at getting a pump this morning and I think thats the way I'm going to go. The pump nurse thinks my problem might be because of injction sites and the pump should help with this. I need to wait until October to get it fitted but I'm looking forward to it after reading other peoples comments about pumps on this site

Aug 31, 2010

Lizzie 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

Hi again Marke

I see the clinic. That is another thing that annoys me. The Gp seems to always want in on my diabetes management for some reason, probably to further inflate their already massive paycheques. I am quite happy being monitored by the hospital. But the GP keeps sending me plastic vials through the post and asking me to go to the hospital (some sort of outpatients clinic where they take all sorts of blood samples) and get it done, when I already get it done by the hospital diabetic clinic. I see this as needless duplication of resources and wish they would communicate better. The best they currently manage is for the hospital clinic to hand me a letter to deliver to the GP at my annual review. I don't understand why they are not using the same computer system or cannot send my results electronically to the GP, for example as a secure email attachment or something. It seems ridiculously old fashioned to have to hand deliver a letter.

But anyway. I am seen by the hospital. I see a doctor, usually a different one, for annual appointments and the eye department for appointments and occasional photos and thats it. I have tried asking for other help but they don't seem interested in giving it to me. I suppose it is cheaper and easier their way.

I don't think DAFNE has made me less reliant on the diabetes support team. I don't think that is the point. That to me smacks of cutbacks and moneysaving (hey, diabetics are a big drain on the NHS! How can we save money on them? I know, send them all on a one-week course and that will mean we can save on expensive doctors salaries!). My self management has improved since DAFNE. But it was one week several years ago. It will have less and less of an effect as time goes by. I desperately need the support of my diabetes team to keep me on the right track after the course has finished.

Aug 31, 2010

Mark2 23 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

Also one thing I have found which helps - is to make it as easy as possible to do tests. I mean keep your meter close at hand at all times. So testing becomes almost like a reflex - its done in a couple of seconds. If you set the date and time accurately on your meter - you can also enter the values in your diary later, maybe at the end of the day if this is more convenient.

Aug 31, 2010

Mark2 23 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

Yes its a difficult one.

Like you I used to be very bad at testing, and would find anything to avoid taking the time to do it. Even though each test takes less than a minute using modern blood testing meters, I guess it felt like an unecessary chore.

What I discovered is that when i started TO TAKE A REAL INTEREST in my readings, and managing my sugars, it got much better. What I mean by this I suppose, is that you need some real motivation for testing. Try to become genuinely curious about what your readings are and what has affected them. What did you eat? did you get the calculation of QA right that time? As soon as you start to achieve some success at managing sugars, motivation gets a lot better. At least thats what I have found.

Aug 31, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results

I agree, you need to change your ratios....(which you did and seen good results)

I am personally on quite alot of insulin; a 17-28 split of background, 1:3 in the morning and 1:1.5 the rest of the day....

As mark2 mentioned we can experience a time in the morning when our cells are more resistant to insulin and our liver may be dumping glucose into the blood as a result of hormones being released, as a result the ratio ususally need to be higher here.

Also when in the double figures, for me above 12.0, you may need more correctional units as the normal reduction in sugar for 1 unit (1u=2-3mmol/l), may not be enough.........

Also when excercising you should be taking a reading before as well, if your to high then excercise will actually push your readings up.

Apart fromt that you seemed pretty clued up...well done

Aug 31, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

Its hard to keep testing all the time........

I personally was encouraged to test because of dafne, the understanding it gave me actually makes me want to know what is happening with my blood sugars........which I need..........

Its all about routine really.............what is your lifestyle like? Is there any routine or does it change from day to day..........

Aug 30, 2010

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Android App

Hi, I think the answer is a tentative 'yes'. I plan to try and do a version of the app that will run on a number of phones including android. However its a question of time , since I have never written code for a mobile phone before its a new challenge and learning experience.
As soon as there is any news about the app I will post it in the Site Development forum.

Aug 30, 2010

julee mistry 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / back again

hi im julee and i have just started to use the site again today. I am feeling a little upset with the whole diabetes thing and i just cant seem to get this right. I start the week testing my blood and then it stops. i give up and just cant seem to stay on track. my HBa1c is 9.2 and i need it much lower than this. was diagnosed in 2005 and i feel im not winning this battel.

i need to take control of this situation.
Is anyone else in the same situation or is it just me

Aug 30, 2010

julee mistry 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Android App

hi i agree with the comment above. please could there be an app for my HTC legend phone. may help me rrcord my blood sugar readings and inform the team who look after me,

thanks

Aug 30, 2010

Mark2 23 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results

As an example - I am on a ratio normally of 1:1.5 for most meals. And 1:2 for Breakfast. My Basal insulin is much lower, I only take 28 units of this a day

Aug 30, 2010

Mark2 23 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results

You seem to be on a 1:1 ratio of Quick Acting insulin to CP's.

From what I can see it may be worth increasing this ratio. Certainly in the morning where many people go for a 1:1.2 or 1:2 ratio - to cope with what's called the "morning phenomenon". You seem to have done this yesterday (Sunday) where your readings were better.

Ideally you should really only need corrective doses occasionally, when there has been maybe some kind of miscalculation of CP's.

Aug 30, 2010

Katherine 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results

Would really appriciate some advice Smile

Aug 30, 2010

chris s 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / spiking early evening

Thanks for replies - I too came to same conclusion. My basal dose is split so I have increased am dose - hope it works. Re Mark 2 - yes I had one glass of wine. Thanks.

Aug 30, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Clikstar Pens

Hello,

Forgot to reply to this topic.

Finally got hold of a blue Clikstar pen and I like it a lot - it's so much better than the Autopen, although still not quite as good as my Humapen Luxura.

The pen is a good size (only marginally bigger than a Humapen) and goes up in 1 click intervals up to 80 units. One very clever feature is when you get near to the end of the cartridge it will only allow you to dial up how much is actually in there - ie no more plunger stopping half way through a dose because you know before hand there isn't enough in there. I think more manufacturers need to implement this.

My only gripe is it is a bit plasticy, but thats only me being very picky. Overall it feels very robust and easy to use, and I'm now safe in the knowledge I'm using an approved pen for my Lantus injections Smile

NiVZ

Aug 30, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please?

Hey Lee.........

It seems to me that most of the time your background lantus is doing ok..........if not too much, even when your dose was 13 you were still coming down by morning........have you ever tried changing your background injection time.....experimenting with that might set you up better for the day.......

Its hard to tell whats going on as the QA doses on your diary are confusing with the CP amounts because you have not put down the ratios...........it would suggest to me you are quite sensitive to insulin, having ratios of 0.1-1:1......

What are your ratiios?

Apart from the ups and downs your control not bad at all!!

Aug 29, 2010

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please?

Hi Lee,

I hope that by now you have had some help with your blood sugars, I am on Novorapid and lantus and just when I think I have got my readings level they can go up or down. I had to split my lantus which does work well for me. 7am and 7pm. I find that when I try to keep my meals to set times and not too many carbs my sugars are better, but I do shift work and that does make me tired and effect my readings. Have you tried changing the time you give your lantus?
How are you getting on now. Sheila

Aug 28, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Welcome Alan from a fellow monklands graduate, the team there are brilliant................................

See u around........................

Aug 28, 2010

AlanC 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Hi everyone - just graduated yesterday (27 Aug) from DAFNE at Monklands Hospital - I wish I had been given the opportunity to do this many years ago. I was diagnosed in early 1986, aged 17, early years I didnt look after myself as closely as I should have, but my good lady wife (who I married 16 years ago) has made sure that this has changed for good! Prior to DAFNE was using far too much Insulin (to ensure my BG's didn't run too high). Despite good HBA1c results, have had too many hypos and as a result of the high Insulin doses have been eating too much (at the expense of my waistline!. Currently on Levemir (now split!) and Actrapid. Following DAFNE I am using around 15-20 less units of Insulin per day!!!!. Hopefully I can maintain this in teh long run. I'd also like to thank the DAFNE educators at Monklands, Pat and Lynn, who were absolutely brilliant last week. Hope to visit this site every day and maybe speak to some of you soon

Alan

Aug 28, 2010

Dr Jez McCole 11 posts

Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed

I am enjoying the app loads Simon, thank you for all the work. I believe one of the DAFNE principles is to decide what's for dinner before worrying about your sugar level. That is to say that the decision about carbs comes before the decision about any corrections. This is why CP's comes before BG, even if we all do actually check our sugars 1st.
Can I suggest:
- a keypad entry for BG and CPs as an option instead of the scroll wheels?
- Because I have found myself using a calculator alongside the app, a CP calculator function within the app would be great. If you press "CP" and see a calculator style screen that has the option of either typing in CPs or even more usefully, typing "Carbohydrate per 100g" (as printed on a packet) and "grams I'm actually eating". To then add to a "Carb Totaliser" for the meal and 'Save' the total CPs once done.
- Some reporting functionality within the app, similar to the online reports. Can we have reporting on insulin doses as well as BGs? Perhaps "Average Total Daily Dose" over the past 14 or 28 days would be good for sick day calculations. Also a report on the number of corrective doses needed and when could really help fine tune the previous meal's ratio. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN SIMON. Dr Jez McCole

Aug 31, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please? Thats good news, I have heard all good stories for pumps, in the long run anyway... It is meant to be quite a task at the start working out your doses and delivery times, but once that is established the benefits are good.... Keep us posted.......

Aug 31, 2010 EMS 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again I know, I really hate the idea of having to rely on something outside myself to, literally, survive. I was diagnosed in 2002 and, especially the first few years, I found it all very hard to accept. In the last couple of years I've started to reconcile myself to the idea that I have this for life and that denial will only make things worse. I suppose that, in a way, managing this properly is me taking back control. If that makes any sense.

Aug 31, 2010 julee mistry 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again Hi thanks for all the ideas into regular testing. So far today I have done my morning and pre lunch. My afternoon was very high and I think I know why. I'm am so glad its not just me. Just hate feeling like this is controlling me. I'm going to keep going. Let me see if I can get a days reading. Thank you for all the messages. By the way I'm a teacher and I teach the little ones.

Aug 31, 2010 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 I should be careful what I say here, but I put patient care above politics so.... Your GP does want in because of money. They get paid an amount by the NHS for each Diabetic they 'treat', they also have to pay some of that to the hospital if you see a consultant/team there. Hence its in their interest for you to be treated at the GP's. It is NOT in your interest however, having been DAFNE-ed and being a Type 1 you really need to be seen by a specialist team not a GP and a Diabetic nurse. I'm not suggesting these people don't do a very good job, however to manage your diabetes in the tight way that DAFNE demands means 'generic' advice is really no good for you. You have the right to demand to be seen by the hospital and indeed I do. I had a letter not long ago from my GP saying 'I see you HBA1c has gone up, your control is not as it should be, you need to come and see me'. I wrote back, telling her to read my notes properly ( I have been on steriods that cause insulin resistance) and that I would not be coming to see her since I was under the care of the hospital and that was the way it would stay. I have not been bothered by the GP since. You CAN do the same, I know its not always easy to go against 'medical' advice, but you can. If you have any problems with this, go to your PCT's website and search for PALS. This is a department dedicated to helping people with issues with the NHS/PCT/GP and they do a very good job. This brings me nicely to your other point, about the GP accessing your hospital data, they should be able to and most probably can. If they cannot currently they WILL have to be able to soon. It is a now a requirement, however like most large UK IT projects the NHS systems are a badly managed mess ( from an IT point of view). Where I am its definately in place and my GP does have access to my data as do my various consultants ( since they know I work in IT, they show off their system to me) . It may not be in place in your PCT , but I would be suprised its not given where you are. At some point in the future YOU may also be able to access some of the data as well, the NHS has plans to put it all online, you can go here to find out more. I think it has been put on hold to a degree at the moment due to issues with confidentiality and patients having a 'proper' right to opt out. I also take on board your point about DAFNE 'support' , obviously thats one of the things we started this site for. However there have been and ARE research projects ongoing about how to better support DAFNE graduates in the long term. This is one of the reasons that DAFNE is important as a programme as opposed to PCT invented equivalents. To provide ongoing care and improve the training, you need proper investment and research which one off courses cannot provide. The thing about DAFNE is its national, its followed up with research and a dedicated team who are constantly working on improving it. Lastly I take your point on 'money saving' but personally I would rather the money went to the expensive doctors than the NHS management consultants ! Most of the doctors and consultants I have met have been brilliant and dedicated and deserve all the money they get. My PCT on the other hand was 5th on the list of spenders on external consultants, we don't need better management just the money going to the front line to treat people. But hey enough of the politics already :-)

Aug 31, 2010 EMS 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again Hi, you are not alone.... I find it very hard sometimes. Thereâ€™s a couple of things I find really useful to help motivate myself. Firstly, the blood glucose diary is a great help, I open it first thing when I get into work and have it open on my desktop all day so I can keep track of every morsel of food and drop of insulin; this makes me more mindful of what Iâ€™m doing and reminds me that I can't really get away with ignoring that Iâ€™ve eaten the odd sweet or bag of crisps. The graphs are great for monitoring progress, especially the pie charts - so much more satisfying to see more green than red! Also, everyone at work is aware that Iâ€™m diabetic, so I have no problem testing at my desk. Initially I tried to avoid telling people, but it just got to be too much work trying to hide it, so I just told them. Weekends are much harder because Iâ€™ve not set routine, but I reckon that if I can stay on track for most of the week, the odd slip here and there should not be too bad in the greater scheme of things.

Aug 31, 2010 kid127 25 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please? Hi, Thanks for the messages. I had an appointment with my consultant and spilt my background does which helped a bit but I also went for an appointment to look at getting a pump this morning and I think thats the way I'm going to go. The pump nurse thinks my problem might be because of injction sites and the pump should help with this. I need to wait until October to get it fitted but I'm looking forward to it after reading other peoples comments about pumps on this site

Aug 31, 2010 Lizzie 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 Hi again Marke I see the clinic. That is another thing that annoys me. The Gp seems to always want in on my diabetes management for some reason, probably to further inflate their already massive paycheques. I am quite happy being monitored by the hospital. But the GP keeps sending me plastic vials through the post and asking me to go to the hospital (some sort of outpatients clinic where they take all sorts of blood samples) and get it done, when I already get it done by the hospital diabetic clinic. I see this as needless duplication of resources and wish they would communicate better. The best they currently manage is for the hospital clinic to hand me a letter to deliver to the GP at my annual review. I don't understand why they are not using the same computer system or cannot send my results electronically to the GP, for example as a secure email attachment or something. It seems ridiculously old fashioned to have to hand deliver a letter. But anyway. I am seen by the hospital. I see a doctor, usually a different one, for annual appointments and the eye department for appointments and occasional photos and thats it. I have tried asking for other help but they don't seem interested in giving it to me. I suppose it is cheaper and easier their way. I don't think DAFNE has made me less reliant on the diabetes support team. I don't think that is the point. That to me smacks of cutbacks and moneysaving (hey, diabetics are a big drain on the NHS! How can we save money on them? I know, send them all on a one-week course and that will mean we can save on expensive doctors salaries!). My self management has improved since DAFNE. But it was one week several years ago. It will have less and less of an effect as time goes by. I desperately need the support of my diabetes team to keep me on the right track after the course has finished.

Aug 31, 2010 Mark2 23 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again Also one thing I have found which helps - is to make it as easy as possible to do tests. I mean keep your meter close at hand at all times. So testing becomes almost like a reflex - its done in a couple of seconds. If you set the date and time accurately on your meter - you can also enter the values in your diary later, maybe at the end of the day if this is more convenient.

Aug 31, 2010 Mark2 23 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again Yes its a difficult one. Like you I used to be very bad at testing, and would find anything to avoid taking the time to do it. Even though each test takes less than a minute using modern blood testing meters, I guess it felt like an unecessary chore. What I discovered is that when i started TO TAKE A REAL INTEREST in my readings, and managing my sugars, it got much better. What I mean by this I suppose, is that you need some real motivation for testing. Try to become genuinely curious about what your readings are and what has affected them. What did you eat? did you get the calculation of QA right that time? As soon as you start to achieve some success at managing sugars, motivation gets a lot better. At least thats what I have found.

Aug 31, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results I agree, you need to change your ratios....(which you did and seen good results) I am personally on quite alot of insulin; a 17-28 split of background, 1:3 in the morning and 1:1.5 the rest of the day.... As mark2 mentioned we can experience a time in the morning when our cells are more resistant to insulin and our liver may be dumping glucose into the blood as a result of hormones being released, as a result the ratio ususally need to be higher here. Also when in the double figures, for me above 12.0, you may need more correctional units as the normal reduction in sugar for 1 unit (1u=2-3mmol/l), may not be enough......... Also when excercising you should be taking a reading before as well, if your to high then excercise will actually push your readings up. Apart fromt that you seemed pretty clued up...well done

Aug 31, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again Its hard to keep testing all the time........ I personally was encouraged to test because of dafne, the understanding it gave me actually makes me want to know what is happening with my blood sugars........which I need.......... Its all about routine really.............what is your lifestyle like? Is there any routine or does it change from day to day..........

Aug 30, 2010 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Android App Hi, I think the answer is a tentative 'yes'. I plan to try and do a version of the app that will run on a number of phones including android. However its a question of time , since I have never written code for a mobile phone before its a new challenge and learning experience. As soon as there is any news about the app I will post it in the Site Development forum.

Aug 30, 2010 julee mistry 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / back again hi im julee and i have just started to use the site again today. I am feeling a little upset with the whole diabetes thing and i just cant seem to get this right. I start the week testing my blood and then it stops. i give up and just cant seem to stay on track. my HBa1c is 9.2 and i need it much lower than this. was diagnosed in 2005 and i feel im not winning this battel. i need to take control of this situation. Is anyone else in the same situation or is it just me

Aug 30, 2010 julee mistry 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Android App hi i agree with the comment above. please could there be an app for my HTC legend phone. may help me rrcord my blood sugar readings and inform the team who look after me, thanks

Aug 30, 2010 Mark2 23 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results As an example - I am on a ratio normally of 1:1.5 for most meals. And 1:2 for Breakfast. My Basal insulin is much lower, I only take 28 units of this a day

Aug 30, 2010 Mark2 23 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results You seem to be on a 1:1 ratio of Quick Acting insulin to CP's. From what I can see it may be worth increasing this ratio. Certainly in the morning where many people go for a 1:1.2 or 1:2 ratio - to cope with what's called the "morning phenomenon". You seem to have done this yesterday (Sunday) where your readings were better. Ideally you should really only need corrective doses occasionally, when there has been maybe some kind of miscalculation of CP's.

Aug 30, 2010 Katherine 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose results Would really appriciate some advice

Aug 30, 2010 chris s 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / spiking early evening Thanks for replies - I too came to same conclusion. My basal dose is split so I have increased am dose - hope it works. Re Mark 2 - yes I had one glass of wine. Thanks.

Aug 30, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Clikstar Pens Hello, Forgot to reply to this topic. Finally got hold of a blue Clikstar pen and I like it a lot - it's so much better than the Autopen, although still not quite as good as my Humapen Luxura. The pen is a good size (only marginally bigger than a Humapen) and goes up in 1 click intervals up to 80 units. One very clever feature is when you get near to the end of the cartridge it will only allow you to dial up how much is actually in there - ie no more plunger stopping half way through a dose because you know before hand there isn't enough in there. I think more manufacturers need to implement this. My only gripe is it is a bit plasticy, but thats only me being very picky. Overall it feels very robust and easy to use, and I'm now safe in the knowledge I'm using an approved pen for my Lantus injections NiVZ

Aug 30, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please? Hey Lee......... It seems to me that most of the time your background lantus is doing ok..........if not too much, even when your dose was 13 you were still coming down by morning........have you ever tried changing your background injection time.....experimenting with that might set you up better for the day....... Its hard to tell whats going on as the QA doses on your diary are confusing with the CP amounts because you have not put down the ratios...........it would suggest to me you are quite sensitive to insulin, having ratios of 0.1-1:1...... What are your ratiios? Apart from the ups and downs your control not bad at all!!

Aug 29, 2010 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please? Hi Lee, I hope that by now you have had some help with your blood sugars, I am on Novorapid and lantus and just when I think I have got my readings level they can go up or down. I had to split my lantus which does work well for me. 7am and 7pm. I find that when I try to keep my meals to set times and not too many carbs my sugars are better, but I do shift work and that does make me tired and effect my readings. Have you tried changing the time you give your lantus? How are you getting on now. Sheila

Aug 28, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Welcome Alan from a fellow monklands graduate, the team there are brilliant................................ See u around........................

Aug 28, 2010 AlanC 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Hi everyone - just graduated yesterday (27 Aug) from DAFNE at Monklands Hospital - I wish I had been given the opportunity to do this many years ago. I was diagnosed in early 1986, aged 17, early years I didnt look after myself as closely as I should have, but my good lady wife (who I married 16 years ago) has made sure that this has changed for good! Prior to DAFNE was using far too much Insulin (to ensure my BG's didn't run too high). Despite good HBA1c results, have had too many hypos and as a result of the high Insulin doses have been eating too much (at the expense of my waistline!. Currently on Levemir (now split!) and Actrapid. Following DAFNE I am using around 15-20 less units of Insulin per day!!!!. Hopefully I can maintain this in teh long run. I'd also like to thank the DAFNE educators at Monklands, Pat and Lynn, who were absolutely brilliant last week. Hope to visit this site every day and maybe speak to some of you soon Alan

Aug 28, 2010 Dr Jez McCole 11 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed I am enjoying the app loads Simon, thank you for all the work. I believe one of the DAFNE principles is to decide what's for dinner before worrying about your sugar level. That is to say that the decision about carbs comes before the decision about any corrections. This is why CP's comes before BG, even if we all do actually check our sugars 1st. Can I suggest: - a keypad entry for BG and CPs as an option instead of the scroll wheels? - Because I have found myself using a calculator alongside the app, a CP calculator function within the app would be great. If you press "CP" and see a calculator style screen that has the option of either typing in CPs or even more usefully, typing "Carbohydrate per 100g" (as printed on a packet) and "grams I'm actually eating". To then add to a "Carb Totaliser" for the meal and 'Save' the total CPs once done. - Some reporting functionality within the app, similar to the online reports. Can we have reporting on insulin doses as well as BGs? Perhaps "Average Total Daily Dose" over the past 14 or 28 days would be good for sick day calculations. Also a report on the number of corrective doses needed and when could really help fine tune the previous meal's ratio. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN SIMON. Dr Jez McCole